Teryl @ Work

You and your skill set have beaten the filters, and now you are in the interview room.   The interview starts, introductions are over and the door opens. Introductions The new person is introduced and you reach up from your chair, and shake the hand offered to you.  In many situations, you have now lost momentum.   Stand up, smile and shake firmly.  Staying in your chair immediately gives the wrong impression.   The same goes if anybody leaves the room and is not coming back. Conversation An interview is a "getting to know you" conversation for both sides.  If it is reduced to a Q & A by the interviewer, your personality will not come over.  In other words, you need to be ready to start a few topics yourself, without making the deadly mistake of taking control of the meeting. And don't always answer with the apparent right answer, try to differentiate yourself, so that you will be remembered.   HR departments might be searching for mu...

Career path and succession planning are part of a good HR strategy.   They should be part of your personal strategy, too. But when an opportunity for promotion is sitting in front of you, and you are granted an interview, how should you prepare for it? Ask HR: Who are the interviewers? How long will the interview be? Are there any questions that you can prepare for in advance? If the present incumbent is in the interview, you need to be sensitive to his/her feelings when you are asked about how you would manage the position.   It is really important to be well prepared when you are an existing employee, as there is an expectation that you have ideas around the role. Before the Interview Prepare a business plan If the person in the position is willing to help, do ask for input and advice If you are already in the department, use your knowledge of what is working and what isn't to build a SWOT Analysis Outline your strategy to grow the department Research t...

So you had the interview, you felt it went well, and yet there has been no feedback.  Worse, you notice that the job is still being advertised.   What now? Before you leave the interview, ask a few key questions, eg What is the process after this round of interviews? Will there be a second interview, or have I met all the decision makers already? When will a decision be made? What is your preferred method of follow up? Phone call or eMail? When would be the best time for me to follow up? After the interview, there are a few nice touches that will keep you top of mind.  First, send the organiser of the meeting a brief thank you note, stating that you enjoyed the time spent with the company, and believe that you would be a good fit, based on the interview and confirming that he/she said that you would hear from the company within a time frame.   And second, if you have committed to send through further details, do so when promised. Not hearing within t...